Ch. 139: Mr. Edwards’ Unraveled Life chapter 139

Chapter 139“There’s nowhere else for you to go but to me.” Kevin’s voice was firm, almost cold.

Norah’s eyes shot open as she sat up, realizing it was already morning.

Gloria’s voice, dripping with sarcasm, broke through the silence: “Kevin, do you even hear yourself? It’s ridiculous.”

This wasn’t a dream. Kevin was really there.

Norah swung her legs out of bed and stepped out of the room. She found Kevin and Gloria facing each other in the living room. Kevin stood tall in a smoky gray shirt, his presence overwhelming compared to Gloria’s smaller frame.

“If you’re here to finish what I started, then I’ll go with you,” Norah said evenly. She took a step toward him.

Both Kevin and Gloria turned to look at her. Kevin’s eyes flicked to her pajamas—Doraemon print, a far cry from what she usually wore. The sight made his expression unreadable.

Her long hair tumbled over her shoulders, her face bare of makeup. There was a weary chill in her dark eyes.

Kevin’s voice was gentle, almost too soft. “Change your clothes. I brought breakfast. You and Gloria can eat, and then we’re heading home.”

“Okay.”

Norah forced herself to act composed, not wanting Gloria to see any cracks in her resolve.

Gloria, realizing there was no stopping Norah, watched in silence.

Norah picked at her breakfast, sipping milk, eating half an egg, and a few spoonfuls of porridge. Then she walked back to Kevin.

Out of nowhere, Kevin said, “Is the venue for Ms. Turner’s art exhibition finalized?”

Caught off guard, Gloria hesitated before answering politely, “We’re still in talks.”

“I’ll have Kian reach out to the organizers. I know them well,” Kevin replied smoothly.

“No need,” Norah interjected, catching the veiled threat.

Outwardly, she kept her composure, answering with a clipped, “Thanks.”

She waved goodbye to Gloria and followed Kevin downstairs, slipping into the car. Before she could speak, Kevin took her hand, running his thumb over the back of it. “We’re heading to the mansion. If you’re not happy with any detail, tell me, and Kian will change it immediately.”

“You don’t need to hold back,” he added with a voice that sounded too kind, too controlled.

A sharp pain gripped Norah’s chest. If it weren’t for hearing Bianca’s name, for overhearing Bonnie’s probing, or for Kevin’s quiet admissions, she might have let herself be deceived by this façade of tenderness.

“Kevin, I know what you mean. When the agreement ends, are you going to drag this out? Don’t tell me it’s because you love me.” The irony in her voice was unmistakable.

Kevin’s reasons for clinging to the agreement had nothing to do with love.

“You’ve been good, Norah. There’s no need to escalate this.” His grip on her hand tightened. “You barely ate. Is your stomach bothering you? I can take you to a traditional doctor if you’re feeling unwell.”

Norah tried to pull her hand away, but he only held on tighter. “Stop this, Norah.”

“Stop what?” she said, her voice breaking. “If you agree with your mother, I’ll return the 10 million.”

“Where would you get 10 million?” He raised an eyebrow, skepticism in his eyes.

The car cruised forward, the doors locked. There was no escape.

“I don’t have it, but I’ll earn it.”

Kevin let out a short, humorless laugh. “How exactly? If you leave the Edwards family, who’s going to hire you? How much would you be able to pay back each month?”

Before Norah could answer, he continued, “Even if you manage to get a job, say with a monthly salary of $15,000, you’d barely keep enough for living expenses. Maybe $10,000 a month toward debt? That’s $120,000 a year. Tell me, how many years will it take to pay back 10 million?”

She fell silent, weighing her options. Could she piece together part-time work, lean on Gloria for loans, model, or translate? The calculations blurred in her mind.

Kevin’s voice pulled her back, slicing through her thoughts. “Without interest, Norah. Why push for divorce when I haven’t?”

He eyed her curiously. “That man, Anthony—what can he offer you that’s better than being Mrs. Edwards?”

Anthony had given her hope, a light that Kevin couldn’t understand. Misunderstanding who Anthony truly was would be better for now.

A bitter smile tugged at her lips. “The same thing Bianca gives you.”

Kevin’s jaw clenched. “I’m not ready for divorce.”

Norah met his stare, her voice steady. “Then we’ll handle it legally.”

“Who in this city would take your case?” Kevin’s confidence was unshakeable.

As the city’s power player, Kevin Edwards was untouchable. Anyone opposing him would be signing their own fate.

Hopelessness twisted in Norah’s chest. Was Gloria’s bold idea the only way out?

Kevin’s phone rang, interrupting her thoughts. It was Bonnie.

“I’m hosting a masquerade ball tonight in Bishu Bay. Bring Norah. No excuses. If you don’t show, you’ll deal with the consequences.” She hung up before he could respond.

Kevin glanced at Norah. “You heard her. Don’t upset my aunt.”

Her heart ached. She could pretend to be composed, but only she knew the pain beneath the surface.